quotes Flashcards
‘As solitary as an oyster’
At first glance, we have the impression that Scrooge, like an oyster, has a tough, hard exterior and is closed to others. The simile is effective because it emphasises how he has chosen to isolate himself.
‘External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge’
‘No warmth could warm, nor wintry weather chill him’
The writer uses pathetic fallacy to reveal the character of Scrooge and show the lack of influence the weather had upon his character
‘“If they would rather die”, said Scrooge, “they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population”’
It reveals his cold-heart; he would rather see the poor people die instead of helping them, and by dying, they would be doing a service to the world. Also, it reveals that Scrooge is a follower of Thomas Malthus who in 1803 published an essay titled “Essay on the Principles of Population.” Men like Malthus and Scrooge believed that war, famine and pestilence were necessary in order to keep the population down, especially the poor people.
“Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.”
Indication of Scrooge’s avaricious nature, as he would rather live in darkness than spend a single coin.
‘Hard and Sharp as flint’
A simile to describe Scrooge. His “sharp” tongue when it comes to others and his “hard” exterior. Scrooge has harsh features to the point where he is almost inhuman. The adjective “hard” may be a reference Scrooge’s tough exterior and how he has no sign of kindness in his face and appearance. The reader is positioned to feel negatively towards Scrooge as Dickens portrays him to be a highly cold character that we should interpret with caution.
‘I wear the chain I forged in life’
A powerful symbol of how many can be weighed down by their sins/transgressions. In this case; greed and lack of compassion for others.
‘Mankind was my business’
Marley warns Scrooge to change his ways as he reflects that his priorities were wrong during his lifetime.
‘A solitary child, neglected by his friends’
Surprising character exposition, making the reader sympathetic for Scrooge. Context- neglected children were common in Vic era, readers would relate.
‘There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should have liked to have given him something: that’s all’
Shows Scrooge is starting to change for the better as a care for others has began to develop. Theme of Redemption.
‘The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it costs a fortunes’
Fezziwig spread joy at Christmas, so much, it didn’t matter how much it cost.
‘Another idol has displaced me…A golden one.’
Belle is upset that Scrooge’s greed has come between her engagement to Scrooge. She believes he values money more than her due to his avaricious nature.
‘This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, but most of all beware this boy’
The two children symbolise Victorian society’s greatest problems. Later in the novella we see Ignorance and Want as people, Ignorance being the people joking about Scrooge’s “death” and Want being the people who steal from his corpse and house.
‘The Spirits of all three shall strive within me’
He has learnt the ghosts lesson and will now try to be a reformed man.
’ I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a school-boy’
Weight of his past actions/transgressions have now been removed. Lots of positive similes to emphasise this change.
